Supporting garment for the groin and abdominal areas



April 17, 1962 H. KRAWTZ 3,029,814

SUPPORTING GARMENT FOR THE GROIN AND ABDOMINAL AREAS Filed April 11, 1960 IN VEN TOR.

HAR RY KRAVITZ ATTORNEY 3,029,814 SUPPORTING GARMENT FGR THE GROIN AND ABDOMINAL AREAS Harry Kravitz, 3544 S. Sycamore Ave, Los Angeies, Calif. Filed Apr. 11, 1960, Ser. No. 21,237 3 Claims. (Cl. 128-159) This invention pertains to an undergarment designed to provide support for the wearer. It is primarily adapted for men, but also is usable by Women.

An object of this invention is to provide a garment providing firm support to the abdominal and groin areas while being extremely comfortable to wear.

Another object of this invention is to provide a supporting type garment that is much more convenient than conventional arrangements of this type.

A further object of this invention is to provide a supporting garment having a yieldability in the proper direction, but which will not deflect substantially in other directions whereretention or support is needed.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a supporting garment characterized by a lack of bulkiness and a trim appearance.

These and other objects will become apparent from the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevational view of the garment of this invention with the front flap secured in position,

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of the arrangement of FIG. 1,

FIG. 3 is a front elevational view similar to FIG. 1 but with the front flap partially opened, and

FIG. 4 is a front elevational view of the garment with the front flap in the full open position.

With reference to the drawing, the garment 1 of this invention is a one piece unit made up of two principal sections sewn together. The upper portion 2 is in the form of a relatively wide band of elastic material forming a continuous loop. Depending from the bottom edge of portion 2 is the lower section 3 of knit cotton or equivalent material, hemmed at its edges as shown. The lower section includes a relatively wide rear segment 4 which extends into an intermediate portion 5 terminating in a front flap section 6. An additional flap 7 of the knit cotton section 3 extends forwardly from the rearward portion 4 along the lower perimeter of the upper elastic section 2. The front portion 6 may be secured to the front of the garment, as seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, by means of four snaps 8, 9, l and 11 carried by this section of the garment. These snaps are adapted to engage mating snaps 12 and 13 on the elastic portion 2, and snaps 14 and 15 located on the flap 7 of the knit cotton section 3.

It is obvious from the foregoing that the garment is worn with elastic section 2 around the hips of the wearer and flap portion extending through the crotch.

The device of this invention offers several important advantages over conventional garments of this general type. The upper elastic section 2 provides a firm abdominal support that supports the abdominal muscles and gives a slim appearance to the wearer of the garment. 'It also acts as a suspensory and provides the needed support for those who have had operations or have other special requirements for abdominal support. The front portion 16 of the elastic material extends downwardly as illustrated to assure that this support is provided. The elastic section also assists in supporting the back of the wearer.

The lower knit cotton section 3 is constructed to conform to the bodily contours, yet avoids any bulkiness or I United States Patent U 3,029,814 Patented Apr. 17, 1962 discomfort. Section 5 is made relatively wide so that it extends the whole width of the groin area regardless of the dimensions of the wearer of the garment or the physical activity which might be engaged in. This assures that at all times there will be a retention and support in this area. The lower section of front flap 6 flares outwardly at the location of snaps 10 and 11, thus holding the intermediate portion 5 at its full width, assisting the latter portion in performing its retention and supporting functions. The upper portion of the front flap 6 tapers inwardly slightly to snaps 8 and 9 to avoid excessive bulk and to assure that the garment has a trim appearance and will not be noticeable through the outer clothing.

As one of the important features of this invention, the lower portion 3 should be made to have a stretchability only in the directions indicated by the arrows A and B in the drawing. With the construction as illustrated, including the intermediate flap portion 5 and the depending flap 7 along the perimeter of the front portion 2 of the garment, this desired stretchability can be obtained with but a single piece of material. In other words, by the use of a sheet of material having a stretchability in one direction only, it is possible to provide only lateral stretching in the groin area 5, as indicated by arrows A, while stretching in the opposite direction is obtained along flap portion 7, as shown by arrows B. This comes about because the material extends in one direction at the groin area, and is doubled over at the first flap 7 to locate the direction of yieldability at right angles to that of flap 5.

It is important to provide the lateral stretching and the absence of yieldability in any other direction in the area 5 in order that the garment will conform to the physical characteristics of various persons, and also to assure that it will provide the desired retention and support no matter what the posture or activity of the wearer may be. Thus, a relatively wide flap 5 with lateral stretching provides a comfortable yet firm support for the wearer.

The stretching along flap 7, as indicated by arrows B, is no less important in assuring that the garment provides maximum comfort without sacrifice of its supporting qualities. Thus, while longitudinal stretching cannot take place in the groin area of section 5, the flap 7 to which the front portion 6 is secured will allow a limited amount of longitudinal movement of the front of the garment. 'I herefore, without sacrifice in the supporting properties of portions 5, the flap 7 allows a yieldability which assures comfort for the wearer no matter how active he may be.

The attachment of the front flap 6 by means of the four snaps makes the garment much more practical and convenient to use. This type of arrangement allows the wearer to leave the main portion of the garment in place throughout the day without necessity for periodic complete removal of the elastic section 2. Conventional girdle supporting garments require the entire unit to be removed, which is an awkward and difficult operation.

By attaching well upwardly on the elastic section 2, the end of flap portion 6 is readily grasped for loosening. When only the two snaps 9 and 11 have been loosened, as may be seen in FIG. 3, complete access from the front of the garment is provided. Thus, it is not necessary to always completely remove the front flap from its secured position, thereby adding to the ease and convenience of use of this garment. Of course, when all of the snaps 8, 9, 1i? and 11 are loosened, the entire flap portion 5 and 6 maybe removed. However, the main elastic section 2 remains in place and need not be taken oif by the wearer except at the time of complete disrobing.

3 From the foregoing, therefore, it is apparent that I have provided a supporting type garment having improved supporting and retention functions, yet permitting complete activity of the wearer while providing complete comfort. In addition, the garment is much more convenient for the wearer than conventional designs.

The foregoing detailed description is to be closely understood as given by way of illustration and example only, the spirit and scope of this invention being limited solely by the appended claims.

I claim: 1. A garment comprising a relatively wide band of elastic material, and a lower portion stitched to and depending from said band, said lower portion including a rearward section tapering to a flap adapted to extend to the forward portion of said garment, said flap being capable of stretching in the transverse direction only, and including a relatively narrow flap along the lower perimeter of the front portion of said band, said relatively narrow flap being capable of stretching only in a direction longitudinally of said first mentioned flap, and including a duality of spaced snaps thereon, said band having a duality of spaced snaps on the front portion thereof remote from the bottom edge thereof, said first mentioned flap having pairs of snaps adapted to engage said snaps on said relatively narrow flap and on said band.

2. A garment comprising a relatively wide band of elastic material, and a one piece sheet of material stitched to the lower edge of said band, said sheet of material including a relatively wide rearward portion tapering to an elongated flap adapted to extend to the front portion of said garment, and a relatively narrow flap of material extending along the lower perimeter of the front portion of said band, said sheet of material having unidirectional stretchability in the transverse direction of said elongated flap and the transverse direction of said relatively narrow flap, said relatively narrow flap having a duality of spaced snaps, said elongated flap having a duality of mating snaps thereon, said elongated fiap tapering inwardly from the location of said duality of mating snaps to a relatively narrow distal end, said end having a duality of spaced snaps thereon, said band of elastic material having a duality of mating snaps upwardly of the bottom edge thereof for engagement with said distal end snaps.

3. A device as recited in claim 2 in which said elongarted flap is wider at the location of said first mentioned snaps thereon than at portions thereof intermediate said rearward portion of said one piece sheet and said location.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 436,607 Litle Sept. 16, 1890 1,200,969 OShea Oct. 10, 1916 2,232,246 Klein Feb. 18, 1941 2,623,210 Chatfield Dec. 30, 1952 2,717,388 Rutledge Sept. 13, 1955 

